The Honesty Policy released a music video this morning of Muslim men, women and children dancing to Pharrell’s recent hit single – Happy. It features likes of Abdul-Hakim Murad, Myriam Francois-Cerrah, Salma Yaqoob and many more familiar faces.

I’m not sharing the video on this post as I truly believe in the saying of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him):

“Whoever guides [another] to a good deed will get a reward similar to the one who performs it.” Sahih Muslim

And I believe whoever guides someone to an bad deed will get the reward similar to it, also hadith regarding revealing ones sin:

“All of my ummah may be forgiven except for those who commit sin openly.” (Bukhari)

Here’s a compilation of best comments on social media:

Good points supporting the video

I love the creativity as well and do believe that there is a lot of good in doing this and its impact on non Muslims, trying to understand what Islam and Muslims are about. It humanises us and makes us that much more approachable, and one hopes curious enough to ask – Why This ? why not a cover of Rianna? and so begins a conversation about what we care about and why we believe what we do. At the same time we are guided by some amazing scholars who have made it their life long work to help and guide anyone who wishes to live and practice in the best way and importantly in accordance to the context that we are presented. It is a personal choice and if we have doubt (spiritually, theologically) then we are free to stand aside and NOT clap along, but also recognise that others have that same choice, and may want to sing along. For the coming generations, I too share your concerns, but would say that pervious generations did their best for us and we need to build on that and make the adjustments that didn’t work. Listen to my man Pharells intentions in writing this – he is crying thinking about his grandmother, and she taught him to be joyful – we can feel the sincerity and love that he is expressing, and so the whole world is singing with him – how can we ask little Aisha and Ahmed in East London to cover their ears. Does every song and all Music , corrupt us , mis guide us, take us away from Allah ? Life is not black and white and they will learn its okay to clap along, but not to everything, or every song. ……… May Allah fill us all with ease, happiness and clarity …..we seek forgiveness for our lack of understanding and pray that we are enlightened. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and please forgive me for anything that offends as the intention is only to think openly, discuss politely and not in any way instruct. – Navid Akhtar

“Nice once one but you know you’ll get bashed by other extremist commenters. Hey but am happy!!!!” – Fatima Maya

More orthodox Islamic points

“If these brothers and sisters wouldn’t feel comfortable dancing like this in front of the likes of Umar (ra) or even the Messenger of Allah (saw) then they probably shouldn’t be doing it.” – Muhammad Rafiq

“Pharrell today, lady gaga next?” – unknown

“If you want to dance in public then go for it, why get rest of us into it? This is embarrassing for those of us who give Dawah to non-Muslims.” – Caller to Islam

“I thought hijab was for modesty and that its purpose was to NOT attract attention from the opposite gender. This video suggests mixed disco parties are just fine. Ironically a lot of Muslims will be made unhappy by this video for more than one reason, and rightly so.” – Saira Waraich

“Music with instruments are haram and i don’t understand why do you need to make dancing videos where brothers and sisters are like they are in dancing club to show Muslims are happy?….. That’s so not Islamic way! I’m sure saytan will be very pleased!” – Shadman Chowdhury

“I was quite shocked to see certain people in that video, too many flowery liberals.” – Mahmudur Rahman

“I’ve just come to the realisation how the Muslim youth of today follow a liberal and modernist interpretation of Islam when it suits their desires. For that reason I’m extremely disappointed and feeling a little disheartened by what I’ve seen today and most people’s reaction to it.

There is a clear consensus that music is haraam in Islam. So for people to try and state a video, being passed around via social media today, with Muslim brothers and sisters dancing together with music is permissible and good for Dawah is absurd and down right ludicrous.

Just when you thought British Muslims were more grounded by the principles that Islam propagates, compared to our brothers and sisters in America, they turn around and show you that they are no better in their understanding of the religion than them.

At least you can make excuses for the Americans due to the pressure being put on them by their government. What excuse do we have? The damage to your ego or your confidence is not a good enough excuse. I can foresee this video being popular with ISocs and their airhead members.

I don’t mean to sound pessimistic but we seriously need help if this is a sign of things to come.” – Aamar Alam

Funny comments

“Damn. All this time I didn’t even realise I was so happy. Good thing this video was made. Now I don’t have to make such an effort with my non-Muslim neighbours, colleagues and friends. Because they can just refer to this video to know that we are approachable and… well happy.” – Arman Ali

Scholars perspective

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi wrote on the producers Facebook wall which was either removed by himself or the admin:

“I am sure the intention was good but is intention alone enough? Let us ask the great Scholar and Sahabi Abdullah ibn Mas’ood (radyallahu ‘anh).

He said, “Count up your evil deeds. I assure you that none of your good deeds will be lost. Woe to you, O Ummah of Muhammad! How quickly you go to destruction! These are the Companions of your Prophet and who are widespread. There are his clothes which have not yet decayed and his bowl which is unbroken. By Him in Whose Hand is my soul! Either you are upon a Religion better guided than the Religion of Muhammad or that you are opening the door of misguidance.” They said, “O Abu ‘Abd ar-Rahmaan! By Allah, we only intended good.” He said, “How many there are who intend good but do not achieve it. Indeed Allah’s Messenger said to us ‘A people will recite the Quran but it will not pass beyond their throats.’ By Allah! I do not know, perhaps most of them are from you.” [Sunan Ad-Daarimee (1/79)]

Ya ikhwan! Are we counting our sins by likes today? This incident was about doing dhikr differently than the Sahaba, while Music is much more severe and forbidden in all four madhahib and with clear hadith.

Those who have no knowledge of Islamic Law and what is permissible or not permissible cause more harm than good. I will share a precise answer to this issue from my friend Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem here: http://youtu.be/snIJKvLNHUM”

What would Jesus do?

There’s a common saying by the Christians to remind themselves of following Jesus (Peace be upon him): What would Jesus do? I think we should start questioning our own acts as: What would Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) or What would the Sahabas do? After all the Prophet left us with the following message:

“I am leaving you two things and you will never go astray as long as you cling to them — they are the Book of Allah and my Sunnah.”

“The best of people is my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them (i.e. the first three generations of Muslims).”

Summary

I won’t say whether the video made was wrong, creatively I love it but Islamically with my orthodox viewpoint I disagree with the approach but I sincerely hope something good comes out of it.

Would like to end this with Imam Ahmad’s statement that defined the foundation of the religion is upon these three ahaadeeth:

1. “Verily actions are by intention”.

2. “Whosoever introduces into this affair of ours that which is not part of it then it is rejected”.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said, “A Muslim who is killed in a battle is a martyr, (dying in) plague is martyrdom, a woman who dies while delivering a baby is a martyr.” (Ahmad, Daarimee, Tiyaalisee, authenticated by ASheikh Muhammad Nasir-ud-Deen al-Albani)

The Final Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, “The martyrs are seven, other than the one who is killed in the Way of Allaah, Ta’aalaa:
– one who dies of plague,
– one who drowns,
– one who dies of pleurisy,
– one who dies of stomachache,
– one who dies due to burning
– one who dies under a demolition (by accident)
– a woman who dies with a baby in her womb.”

Google has recently added street view images for Jerusalem in Palestine and now you can see Masjid Al Aqsa, Islam’s third holiest site on Street View. This gives you the chance to explore the vicinity of Masjid Al Aqsa and also explore Jerusalem. Will we soon see Makkah and Madinah on Street View? We certainly hope so.

Still just 29, Ms Shazia Saleem, of Luton, is already a veteran entrepreneur. Her previous business ventures have included redeveloping a rundown holiday resort in Cambodia, and she is about to launch a UK halal food brand called I-Eat Foods.

ieat foods was founded by a foodie frustrated by years of restricted, ‘same old’ boring choices. Bubbling away for years, this frustration fueled a personal quest for Shazia to create the most exciting halal food range ever developed in the UK.

The team have been busy working in partnership with consumers and some of Britain’s top development chefs to design an entire range of delicious, contemporary British dishes – made from the finest ingredients and bursting with flavour.

All of their first 12 dishes can be found in the new halal bay in the chilled ready meal aisle of selected Sainsbury’s stores in London, Birmingham and Leicester from Wednesday 26th February – find your nearest store.

Watch the animated video produced by the talented Muslim designers at The Play Studio

A large community of Muslims visit the East London Mosque on regular basis, including The Play Studio members, who are based behind the mosque itself but found the official website to be adequate but lacks the expectations of mobile users, so they’ve decided to design and developed a simple start page with prayer times and automated Adhan reminder that can be bookmarked and even installed on an iPhone home screen.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets running a nationwide campaign to find Muslim couples to adopt children. The campaign focuses on parents who can’t have children or wishes to add new addition to their family, as well as on children who needs a loving home.

It’s a well-known fact that Muslim children are the last to be adopted and many times the council has no option but to consider non-Muslim families thus making the child lose their Islamic identity.

Clad in white and blue salwar kameez (traditional Indian dress) and translating an Arabic verse from her Islamic studies textbook into Bengali, 15-year-old Puja Kshetrapal could pass for a Muslim. But she, along with almost half of the 200 tenth graders in Chatuspalli High Madrassa in Orgram village in India’s West Bengal state, are Hindus.Continue reading Islamic Schools in India attract Hindu students→

The conflict in Syria has gone on for more than 2 years, with well over a 100,000 dead and over 1,000,000 refugees as of September 2013, and recent escalation with the use of chemical and incendiary bombs on innocent men, women and children.

We are help will raise funds for gas masks, bio-chemical suits, atropine and an ambulance to Syria. Supported by Human Aid.

Sweden, the most atheist country in the world (85%), has just granted all Syrian refugees a Permanent Residency, which gives them nearly all rights of citizens, while most of our “Muslim” countries won’t allow them to even transit. (Sources: NDTV, LSN)

From coffee to cheques and the three-course meal, the Muslim world has given us many innovations that we take for granted in daily life. Here’s 5 most important inventions by Muslims that has changed the world:

1 – Doing ghusl before going out to the prayer.
2 – Eating before going out to pray on Eid al-Fitr and after the prayer on Eid al-Adha
3 – Takbeer on the day of Eid
4 – Offering congratulations
5 – Adorning oneself on the occasion of Eid.
6 – Going to the prayer by one route and returning by another.Continue reading Sunnah of Eid Day→

In Islamic sciences, all knowledge of the religion comes back to two sources: the Quran and the sayings and doings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ – the hadith. The Quran is of course considered the un-changed word of Allah as revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and is thus the foundation of all Islamic knowledge. Second after the Quran is the example set forth by the Prophet ﷺ.Continue reading Biography of Imam Bukhari→

This a response to the EPIC FAIL of a video by Steven Crowder in his desperate attempt to gain attention. It’s always best to ignore such videos, especially since the whole “Islamaphobia” thing is getting old now, but in certain instances it’s good to clarify where he went wrong in terms of the misconceptions he put forward.Continue reading Jesus vs Muhammad→

As you might have heard the Islam and Athiesm debate took place few days ago between Hamza Andreas Tzortzis and Professor Lawrence Krauss in University College London (UCL).

This is what Saqib Sattar (Co-Founder of iERA) had to say:

In the debate, Professor Lawrence Krauss threatened to walk out of the debate as there were a specific seating arrangements for sisters, which UCL had agreed to. This was supposedly on ‘moral’ grounds. Yet, in the debate, he rationalised the act of incest, even describing, in pornographic detail how it can be ‘done’ using contraception! And he and his followers have the audacity to accuse Islam of being outdated and primitive, when Atheism does not even have a basis for morality, hence why Prof. Krauss accepts incest.Continue reading Gender Segregation in UCL→

“When you see Makkah with tunnels dug through it, and you see the buildings rise higher than the mountains, then understand that the affair (Day of Judgment) is NEAR at hand!” – Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)

Ghana captain Wakaso stepped up in place of Asamoah Gyan to bury a 38th-minute penalty and give Ghana a 1-0 win over Mali at the African Cup of Nations but then celebrated his goal a religious slogan (Allah is Great) on a T-shirt that landed him in trouble.Continue reading FIFA bans Muslim footballer for praising Allah→

“If you do not aid the Prophet – Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out [of Makkah] as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, “Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.”

And Allah sent down his tranquillity upon him and supported him with angels you did not see and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the word of Allah – that is the highest. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.”

Came across this article about an inspiring act of generosity by a group of Muslim calling themselves ‘Muslim Snow Patrol’, not to be mistaken for the badboys of East London calling themselves ‘Muslim Patrol’, who have been embarrassing the whole community by shouting abuse at Non-Muslim women, taking alcohol away from the hands of Non-Muslims (which is haram (not permissible) because it’s his possession and rules of alcohol consumption does not apply to them) and telling Non-Muslims to move away from the Mosque, which is against the teachings of true Islam as we’re encouraged to invite fellow Muslims and Non-Muslims to the Mosque.Continue reading The Muslim Snow Patrol Cleaning Up The City→

How certain Muslims and groups are corrupting the minds fellow Muslims by denying Quran by saying Adam (Alayhisalam) was not created by Allah and promoting completely absurd claims of how humans evolved from other species, i.e. Monkeys. The debate was organised by The Deen Institute, and the speakers were Shaykh Yasir Qadhi, Usama Hasan and others.Continue reading Have Muslims Misunderstood Evolution?→

Here is a compilation of 10 best Muslim Twitter users, ranging from lighthearted humour to inspirational reminders. The list is based on frequency of tweets, as well as number of followers and interaction with their followers. These are in no particular order, but be sure to follow them all.Continue reading 10 Muslims To Follow On Twitter→

Allah‘s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged the Muslims to safeguard Fajr and Asr.

Jarir (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “ We were with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and he looked at the moon on a full moon night and said,” Certainly you will see your Lord as you see this moon and you will have no trouble seeing Him. So if you can avoid missing (through sleep or worldly affairs) a Salah before sunrise and before sunset, you must do so.” He the recited Allah’s verse: “ And glorify the praises of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its’ setting.” [50:39] [ Bukhari 554]Continue reading The Best Hours of the Day – Fajr and Asr→

Ramadan is known to be broken down into thirds. The first ten days of Ramadan are known as the “Ten Days of Mercy”.

Muslims are aware that Ramadan is a month of spiritual opportunities, but what does the “mercy” really mean to Muslims?

One of God’s names is Ar-Rahman, the Most Merciful, and Muslims call upon God using this name in nearly everything they do. Thus, there is no surprise that Mercy manifests itself in the month that God created for Himself.

In the sacred hadith below, God says:

“O son of Adam, as long as you call upon Me and put your hope in Me, I have forgiven you for what you have done and I do not mind. O son of Adam, if your sins were to reach the clouds of the sky and then you would seek My forgiveness, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, if you were to come to Me with sins that are close to filling the earth and then you would meet Me without ascribing any partners with Me, I would certainly bring to you forgiveness close to filling it.” (Authenticated by Al Albani)

Imagine entering Ramadan in full reflection of wrong doings. Many believers worry of the sins that they incurred along the way – the ones that were committed conscientiously and without realizing it. Yet God promises forgiveness. There is no similar attribute to anyone or anything in this world, hence the reminder to remove idolatry from one’s beliefs.

Through this hadith alone, God reminds that He is Ar-Rahman, the Most Compassionate, and Ar-Raheem, the Most Merciful. Basking in God’s Mercy – and finitely – the Mercy of Paradise – is something that every believing Muslim prays for. And with this fear of God’s punishment that is close to the heart of the believer, God says:

{Say: O My servants who have transgressed against their own souls, despair not of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.} (Az-Zumar 39: 53)

Du’a and Dhikr Are Keys to God’s Mercy

A great way for Muslims to worship for the first ten days of mercy is to recite Du’as (supplications) and Dhikr (remembrance) invoking God’s mercy. With the doors of Paradise swung open and the doors of Hellfire shut, God never goes back on His Promise and with that, this is the perfect time to beg for God to shower His servants with Mercy. A recognized Quranic supplication, that can be recited as a remembrance is:

{O! My Lord, forgive and have Mercy and You are the Best of Merciful.} (Al-Mu’minun 23: 118)

God also says:

{So, Remember Me, and I will remember you.} (Al-Baqarah 2: 152)

This is the best reminder to continuously ask from God, to continuously invoke blessings from God, to continuously prostrate and beg God for His Mercy – no matter how low, no matter how tired, no matter how riddled Muslims are with difficulties. Believers must never give up on God’s Mercy.

Another hadith talks about God’s mercy in the world – the world that Muslims live in, the days they scamper through. Although Muslims see a lot of destruction, they also see plenty of love: from a husband to a wife; from a mother to her suckling baby; from a teacher to his students; from children to animals; and even from animals to their young. Mercy surrounds the world, yet God says He divided His mercy into a hundred parts, and only one of those hundred parts manifest itself in this world. The rest of the mercy belongs to God alone. Imagine God’s mercy during the first ten days of Ramadan, and imagine the mercy may bestow amongst those who take full advantage of the first ten days and how the mercy will manifest itself on Judgement Day and in the Hereafter.

Fasting Itself Is Mercy

The act of fasting as one of the Pillars of Islam, is in itself an act of mercy. Through fasting, Muslims experience a healthy detox from food that does not benefit them. They become spiritually recharged and become more aware of leaving distractions that also do not benefit them. Muslims appreciate the little they have and think of those who have even less – families with children in war-torn countries, Muslims and non-Muslims living without food on a daily basis – those who fast without an opportunity to break their fast.

All these amount to mercy in their own way, Muslims will have an opportunity to feel more merciful towards themselves, towards those who may have more, and to those who are less fortunate. Mercy manifests itself in humility in many, many ways. And all this can be achieved through a Ramadan that is filled with remembrance of God, reflection on abstinence, and spending the early nights deep in prayer.

But God promises something even more. He says:

{O you who believe! Observing al-sawn (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become the pious.} (Al-Baqarah 2: 183)

Imagine being recognized as amongst the most pious Muslims, this is probably the most merciful appellation and gift that God can give His servant. And this can be attained by observing Ramadan with full servitude.

Fast and Ask in the Season of Mercy

The beauty of the first ten days of mercy is that it is a blessing within a blessing. While Muslims are actively striving to please Him, God adds a gift to the special month by creating this season of mercy. His mercy is showered upon those who engage in good deeds and the merits for them are multiplied, while those with a streak of bad deeds even are forgiven – provided that they are sincere in their repentance and strive to please God alone. It is during this time – through God’s mercy – that the status of pious servants are raised, and the more mercy that is compounded upon them, helps cleanse their hearts and turns them towards the correct direction in worshiping God.

What a great reminder for Muslims to bask in God’s mercy during the first third of Ramadan. Not only is fasting piling up merits and blessings, but the mercy of God continues to wash over everyone who engages in worship. Allah has created His slaves to worship Him, as He says in the Quran:

{And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except that they should worship Me (Alone).} (Adh-Dhariyat 51: 56)

The virtues of fasting are great indeed, and one of the virtues is that God chose fasting for Himself. Prophet Muhammad said:

“(Allah said): Every good deed of Adam’s son is for him except fasting; it is for Me. and I shall reward (the fasting person) for it.’ Verily, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better to Allah than the smell of musk.” (Al-Bukhari)

Thus the rewards without measure will manifest itself throughout the days of Ramadan for those who sincerely repent and engage in good deeds for only God alone. All this mercy spills over throughout Ramadan and through a believer’s life up until the Day of Judgment where the fasting person may be recognized as amongst the pious, by God’s merciful decision.

How beautiful is this Analogy between Prophet Yusuf (Alayhi Salam) and the month of Ramadan by Ibn al Jawzee (rahimahullah)

“The twelve months of the year are like the twelve sons of prophet Yaqub (Alayhi Salam). And just as prophet Yusuf was the most beloved to Yaqub, the month of Ramadan is the most beloved to Allah. And just as Allah forgave the eleven brothers by the du’a of one; Yusuf. He can forgive your eleven months of sins by your du’as in Ramadan.”

Prophet Yusuf is also refered by the Christians and Jews as Joseph and his father – Prophet Yaqub as Jacob.